Manufacture of welded iron and steel tubes



D. W. CHISHOLM.

MANUFACTURE OF WELDED IRON AND STEEL TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED 05c. 10, 1920.

1,370,187. Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

D. W. CHISHOLM.

MANUFACTURE OF WELDED IRON AND STEEL TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10. 1920.

1,370, 187 Pate ted Mar-1, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- D. W. CHISHOLM. MANUFACTURE OF WELDED mom AND STEEL TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED DE(Z .10,1920.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3- .D. W. CHlSHOLM.

MANUFACTURE OF WELDED IRON AND STEEL TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10. 1920.

1 ,370, 187 Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DOUGLAS w. onrsnomu, or GARNKIRK, SCOTLAND.

MANUFACTURE OF WELDED IRON AND STEEL TUBES.

Application filed December 10, 1920. Serial No.

T all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, DOUGLAS lVHIMsTnR CHIsHoLM, of Woodhead, Garnkirk, Lanarkshire, Scotland, subject of theKing of Great Britain, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Manufacture of- Welded Iron and Steel Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the manufacture of welded iron and steel tubes by the known process of drawing a heated strip through a bellor die and applying a suitable welding gas to the edges of the strip before the same are closed and welded together.

Under this invention I use a bell or die of the usual tapered formation and, within the bell, I arrange a guiding and supporting tongue which is held movably in place withinthe bell in such manner as to have free- ;dom of movement so that it can adjust itself automatically to the skelps being welded. This tongue preferably extends the full length of the bell and also projects some distance beyond it, preferably, at both ends, and it is made, hollow and cylindrical in shape and of a diameter to suit the internal size of the tube being manufactured but is incomplete, being open at the under side to an extent suflicient to enable the usual tongs, for gripping the strip, to be inserted through the ton ue and bell. The tongue is made, near its ontend, with one or more circumferential grooves or channels which may extend wholly or partially around it. The channel or channels form an annular space around whih the welding gas can pass and act on the inside surface of the skelp. In conjunction with the bell and in advance thereof I use a pressure ring or a plate with a central ho e the ring being slightly beveled or tapered at its inside and also being of such diameter that it will effec- I tually close and press together the edges of the-skelp after the -same has been drawn and acted on by the-gas. 1

The bell and the pressure ring are both ..removably vI'nountedin a housing and are ing is a retained in proper relative position therein by means of two pivotalor hinged gates one at each side of the housing the gates having suitable recesses or slots therein to engage the. lugs of the bell and also recesses or slots therein to engage andhold the pressure ring in upright position. The base of the housso provided with a slot in which the Specification of Letters Patent.

lever, the tongue can Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

within the bell to suit the skelp as it is drawn therethrough and it also projects into and '(or) through the pressure ring and it is arranged, and adapted to not only properly guide and support the skelp but also to prevent it falling in which otherwise is apt to be the case es ecially when making thin walled tubes. 'Fhe pivot pin of the tongue is or may be jointed to a lever in such manner, that, b

e raised or lowered as desired to enable the gripping tongs to be properly passed through the bell for the purpose of gripping the strip.

Fixed to one of the gates, in any suitable manner is a jet or nozzle whichis connected by means of a flexible pipe orother connection to the welding gas supply, the arrangement being preferably such that when the gate is closed, the gas -jet will be automatically moved Into position for properly dimanipulating the.

recting the gas on to the edges of the skelp and into the groove or channel in the tongue.

If so desired, on the opposite gate to that provided with the gas et, there may be a water spray tube -for spraying water on to the pressure ring and (or) bell and keeping the same cool the water supply being automatically controlled by the action of the gate or otherwise.

Thepressure ring when placed in the housin is'held at a certain fixed distance from t e nose of the bell which is a matter of considerable importance,

In the apparatus, the strip is gripped in the well known manner and is-simply pulled, by the draw bench chain, through the bell and the pressure ring and, as it passes through the hell, it is skelped and is at thesame time supported by the tongue and this support is preferably continued until the skelp passes through the pressure ring. As-

the skelp leaves the bell its edges gradually come together and then it is acted on by the gas both externally and internally and thereafter immediately passes through the pressure ring which closes the soft edges of the skelp and presses them together so as to form a tube with a thoroughly eflicient weld.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood I have hereunto appended explanatory drawings showing, by way of ex-' ample, forms of the apparatus.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation.

Fig. 3 is a plan.

Fig. 4 is an incomplete end elevation showing the actionof the gates.

Fig. 5 is a view of the supporting tongue.

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan showing in dotted lines the turning up or skelping of the strip as it is being formed into a tube.

Fig. 7 shows a modified form of the bell and tongue.

Referring to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals and letters wherever repeated indicate the same or similar parts.

A bell or die 1 of the usual taper formation rests in a housing 2 and is retained in position by means of two gates 3 which have pivots 4: and are. provided with handles 5 for raising and lowering them about their pivots. Slots 6 (see Fig. 3) are provided in these gates for the purpose of engaging gether 'the edges of the skelp after it has passed through the bell, is retained in position by slots 9 in the gates 3 as well as by the'recessed portion '10 of the housing 2 in which the ring rests. The arrangement is such that when the gates 3 are raised, the bell 1 and the pressure ring 8 are released and can be easily liftedout of the housing "2, and, when lowered, the bell and the pressure ring are held in fixed relatlve positions by means of the slots 6 and 9 and recess 10. It will be seen the pressure-ring is held atbut a short distance from the end of the bell.

A guiding and supporting tongue 11 extends through the bell and the pressure ring and, in the examples shown on the drawings, takes the form of a hollow incomplete cylinder the lower part of the cylinder being cut or slotted out at 11 .(Fig. 2). The outer diameter of the tongue is made to suit the internal diameter of the tube being manufactured. A circumferential groove 12, which may have a hole 12 therethrough, is formed on the togue at a short distance from its end so as to be between the bell 1 and the pressure ring. The tongue which is tapered externally at 11 and 11 androunded off at 11 is loosely held at one'end in a position substantially central to the hell 1 and the pressure ring 8 by the pivot pin 13 movably secured to a lever 14 which is pivotally se cured at one end to a projection 15 of the housing 2 by an easily withdrawable pin 16. The tongue is free to move about the pivot 13 and automatically adjust itself so as to guide and properly support the skelp being drawn through the bell. It can be raised at one end, by means of the lever 14, so as to enable the gripping tongs to be easily passed through the bell. The cut away part 11 of the tongue is for the entry of the gripping tongs. The bell may also be cut away-at 1 for this purpose. I a

The gas pipe 17 is provided with a jet or nozzle 18 and is secured by a bracket 19 to' one of the gates 3 in such a manner that when the gate is closed the nozzle will be automatically moved into position for properly directing a stream of gas on to the edges of the skelp and into the groove 12and hole 12*. in the tongue. If so desired. for this purpose, the end of the bore of the bell may be cut away at 1.

The pipe 17 may be connected to the gas supply by means of a flexible pipe or othe suitable connection.

If a tube happens, from any cause, to stick in the bell, the latter and the pressure ring can be at once released by opening the gates and the lever 14 can be disengaged by withdrawing the pin 16. The opening of the gates turns the gas pipe 17 out of the 1; Fig. 6 the formation of the skelp 20, when being drawn through the bell, is shown by dotted lines, and as 'will be seen the two edges of the skelp are brought together over the groove 12 and just before entering the pressure ring. At this point, gas from the nozzle 18 is caused to impinge on the 'two edges of the skelp and some of the gas passing between them, enters the groove 12 and hole 12 in the tongue 11 and acts on the. inner'side of the skelp. The heated edges are thereafter immediately pressed together as they pass through the pressure ring 8.

Fig. 7 shows a modification in the arrangement for raising and lowering the tongue 11. In this case a pivot pin 21 loosely connected to the tongue 11 and projecting through the hell 1 is used instead of the arrangement of pivot pin and lever as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. As will be seen the pivot is provided with a lifting ring. 22 and the bell is also provided with a lifting ring 23 so that by grasping the two rings the bell can be lifted to be changed or replaced.

The pivot pins 13 and 21 are shown se-' cured loosely to the tongue 11 by cross pins having, in combination, a die, a hollow cy- Having now fully described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 7 1. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die through which the heated strip is drawn, and means for guiding and supporting the strip as "it is drawn through the die consisting of a hollow cylindric tongue which, at one end thereof, is pivotally held in place in the die and is capable of automatically adjusting Esself to the strip as it passes-through the 2. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a'die through which the heated. strip is drawn, and means for guiding and supporting the strip as it is drawn through the die consisting of a hollow cylindric tongue which, at 'one end thereof, is pivotally held in place in the die 7 and has a circumferential groove at the opposite end thereof.

3.. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of'welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die, a hollow cylindric tongue having an opening extending along its under side and made with a circumferential channel near one end, means for pivotally holding. the tongue in place within the die, and means for delivering welding gas in proximity to said channel.

' 4. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die, a hollow cylindric tongue formed with an opening in its under side and also with a circumferential channel near one end and tapered parts adjacent-thereto, means for ivotally holding the tongue in place within the die, and means for delivering welding gas in proximity to said channel.

5. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die, a hollow cylindric tongue having an opening extending along its under side and made with. a circumferential channel near one end and roundedoff at the other end, means for pivotally holding the tongue in place within the die, and means for delivering welding gas in proximity to said channel.

6. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips,

lindric tongue, means for pivotally holding I the tongue in place with-in the die, a pressure device in proximity, to the die and means holding the die and pressure device in position.

7. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated-metal strips, having, in combination, a die, a hollow cylindric tongue formed with a slot in its under side and also with a circumferential channel near one end and tapered parts adjacent thereto, means for pivotally holding the tongue in place in the die, a pressure device in' proximity to the die and means holding the .die and pressure device in position.

8. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die, a hollow cylindric tongue formed witha slot in its under side and also with a circumferential channel near one end and tapered parts adjacent thereto, means for pivotally holding the tongue in place 'in the die, a pressure device in proximity to the die and means holding the die and pressure device in position the cylindric tongue extending through both the die and the pressure device.

9. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die, a hollow cylindric tongue automatically adjustable within the die for the purpose of guiding and supporting the strip, a pressure device in proximity to the die for the purpose of closing and welding the edges of the strip as it emerges from the die and means for delivering welding gas .on to the edges of the strip and located between the die and the pressure device.

. 10. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die, a pressure ring, means for holding the die and pressure ring at a fixed distance apart, and an automatically adjustable guiding and supporting tongue arranged in the die and extending into the pressure ring.

11. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die, a pressure ringymeans for holding the die and pressure ring at a fixed distance apart, an automatically adjustable guiding and supporting tongue arranged in the die and extending into the pressure ring, and means for directing welding gas between the die and pressure ring.

12. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die, an internally die and an automatically adjustable guidtapered pressure ring, means for holding the I ing and supporting tongue arranged in the die and extending into the pressure ring.

v "13. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips, having, in combination, a die, an internally tapered ressure ring, means for holding the bell, tance apart, an "automatically adjustable guiding and supporting tongue arranged in the die and extending through the pressure 1e and pressure ring at a fixed disring, and means for directing welding gas between the die and pressure ring.

14. Apparatus for use in the manufac-- ture of welded tubes from heated metal strips having, in combination, a die and a pressure ring through which the heated strip is drawn, means for holding the die and pressure ring at a fixed distance apart, means for applying welding gas between the die and pressure ring, a hollow cylindric tongue formed with a-slot in its under side a11d with a circumferential groove and means for pivotally holding the tongue in place in the die and so that it projects into ,the pressure ring.

'. having, in combination, a die, a pressure ring, a guiding and supporting tongue movably arranged within the dieand extending into the pressure ring, means for applying welding gas to the edges of the strip as it passes from the die to the pressure ring, and means for holding the die and pressure-ring at a fixed distance apart. said means comprising hinged gates capable of being opened, at will. to release the die and pressure ring.

17. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips,-

having, in combination, a die, a. pressure ring, a guiding and supporting tongue ofhollow cylindrical formation movably arrangedwithin the die and extending into the pressure ring, and means for holding the die and pressure ring at a fixed distance apart, said means comprising hinged gates *capable of being opened, at will, to release the bell, die and pressure ring.

18. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips,

'com risin in combination a die and a pressure ring, a support therefor, gates pivoted to the support for releasably holding the die and ring at a fixed distance apart, means for applying welding gas between the die and pressure ring, and a guiding and supporting tongue movably arranged within the die and projecting into the pressure ring.

19. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of weldedtubes from heated metal strips, comprising, in combination, a die and a pressure ring, a support therefor, gates pivoted to the support for releasably holding the dieand ring at a fixed distance apart, a guiding and supporting tongue pivotally held in place in the die and projecting into the pressure ring, and means for raising one end of the tongue, at will.

20. Apparatus for use in the manufacture ofwelded tubes from heated metal strips, comprising, in combination, a die and a pressure ring, a support carrying both the die and pressure ring, gates pivoted to the support for releasably holding the die and ring at a fixed distance apart, means for applying welding gas between the die and pressure ring, and guiding and supporting means for the strip comprising a hollow cylindrical tongue formed with a slot in its under side and with a circumferential channel near one end, and'means for pivotally holding the tongue in place in the die with one end projecting into the pressure ring and with the circumferential channel between same and the die.

21. Apparatus for use in the manufacture of welded tubes from heated metal strips comprising, in combination, a die, a pressure ring, a support therefor, gates pivoted one on either side of the support for releasably holding the dieand pressure ring apart, a welding gas nozzle supported by one of the gates and located between the die and pressure ring, a guiding and supporting tongue movably arranged within the dieI-and projecting into the pressure ring, and means for raising one end of the tongue at will.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses. I

D. W. CHISHOLM.

Witnesses:

MIMA ANDERSON, MARY GREEN. 

